Papers by Mytho - Mystic Literature
The scholars in the field of mysticism have expressed a variety of ideas about the concept of lov... more The scholars in the field of mysticism have expressed a variety of ideas about the concept of love, which show the importance of it in Iranian religious thoughts. Ahmad Ghazali (452 -520 AH) created a dramatic change in the nature of love by writing mystical works. He presented a new interpretation of the story of Layla and Majnun's love in Sawāneh, his first work in the field of love in Persian language. In Arabic literature, Layla and Majnun love story is a kind of pure love (Ishq-e Azrā) or Platonic love. By using descriptive-analytical method, in the present article the attempt is made to consider the stages of the transformation of pure love of Layla and Majnun in Ahmad Ghazali's thoughts and to answer this question: In a comparative study, how do we interpret the similarities and differences between the Layla and Majnun love in Ahmed Ghazali's attitude and the pure love in Arabic literature? The results show that, based on Ghazali's romantic and mystical principles, virtuous, secular, painful, unending and pure love transforms to admirable, divine, pleasant and hopeful love and leads to perfection.
Dreaming is one of the puzzles that has preoccupied the mind of man from way back. It has been di... more Dreaming is one of the puzzles that has preoccupied the mind of man from way back. It has been discussed in many fields such as religions, mythology, psychology, literature and mysticism. Dreams have been categorized into some types like veridical dream, sound dream and so on. As a source of inspiration, mystics and Sufis used dream to solve many of their problems and they had great value for it. Attar of Nishapur has narrated many dreams of Sufis and saints of God in his book, Tazkirat-al-Auliyā. By using descriptive-analytical method, the present article tries to consider the dreams narrated in this book. Also, the characters of the dreams, their subjects and their relationship with facts of life are considered. The results show that many of the dreams are rooted in real life of mystics and Sufis. They intended to express their dreams, because they were considered as part of the Prophecy and messages from the Divine world.
The poems of a poet reflect his/her various moods, so the colors used in his/her poems can lead t... more The poems of a poet reflect his/her various moods, so the colors used in his/her poems can lead the way in identifying the reactions and behaviors of the poet. The visionary experience of poet-mystics which is based on a symbolic language can be better expressed by using colors and its related terms. By using descriptive-analytical method and based on the Max Lüscher's psychology of colors, the present article attempts to re-read Musibat-Nāmeh, written by Attār of Nishapur. The results show that categorization of colors in Musibat-Nāmeh, from left to right, is as follows in order of preference: (7+3+4×2×1=5=0-6-). According to Lüscher, such prioritization by the sālek (the holy traveler) implies that he/she suffers from separation from the Divine world (7+3+); but he/she hopes to achieve a better situation and to overcome many of the limitations of the material world (4×2×). In this way, he/she doesn't find any tranquilizing environment and hides his/her thoughts from strangers and shares them with close people (1=5=). According to Musibat-Nāmeh, the sālek looks for an opportunity to improve his/her spiritual states by purification of the soul. By this way, he/she can obtain his/her pervious dignity in the Divine world (0-6- ).
The recreation, regeneration and metamorphosis of myth can be seen in contemporary poetry; that i... more The recreation, regeneration and metamorphosis of myth can be seen in contemporary poetry; that is, the contemporary poets, based on temporal context and their themes, change the components of a myth and manipulate it. By using descriptive-analytical method, the present study tries to show the metamorphosis myths and methods of metamorphosis in the poems of Badr Shakir al-Sayyab and to consider the contexts that have led to the transformation of myths in his poems. Sayyab is a pioneer in contemporary Arab poetry, so the present research can show new approaches in his poems and, in addition, Illustrate the methods of transformation of myths in contemporary Arabic poetry. The results show that the main methods of metamorphosis of myths (Greek and Arabic) in the poems of Sayyab are as follows: adding elements to original myths, changing the nature and function of mythical characters and components of myths, especially at the endings of them. Also, the most important goals of Sayyab in the metamorphosis of myths include: the adaptation of myths to the modern age and political- social needs.
One of the most common methods of studying mythology is the psychological analysis of myths. Carl... more One of the most common methods of studying mythology is the psychological analysis of myths. Carl Gustav Jung, the founder of personality psychology, opened a new window in criticism and analysis of myths by introducing archetypes. According to Jung, everyone has a personal and a collective unconscious. He believes that the personal unconscious is built on a deeper innate layer that is called collective unconscious or archetype. The manifestation of archetype is more prominent in the works of art, especially literature and myths. This issue can be seen in Shāhnāmeh which is one of the most famous Iranian mythological and epic texts. Shadow, anima, animus, hero and mother are the prominent archetypes of Shāhnāmeh. We can find many of these archetypes in the story of the Seven Labors of Rostam (Haft Khan-e Rostam). Based on Jung's theory, it can be considered the stages of the Labors a kind of passing from "ego" to reach "self" in order to achieve "psychological individuation". And this is not possible except with the help of the hero (Rostam) and the passing of the shadow. In fact, Kai Kāvus, as the symbol of man, benefits from the help of Rostam (hero) and passes from "ego" to "self" (psychological individuation). By employing comparative-analytical method and based on Jung's psychological theory the present article attempts to examine the story of the Seven Labors of Rostam (Haft Khan-e Rostam) as an archetype.
Shāhnāmeh of Ferdowsi, as the valuable work of epic literature, shows collection of cultures and ... more Shāhnāmeh of Ferdowsi, as the valuable work of epic literature, shows collection of cultures and beliefs of Iranian people from the farthest times to the era of Ferdowsi. In this book, Ferdowsi narrates the story of Iranian kings and heroes from mythological to historical times; it is a collection of beliefs, cultures and rituals that kings, heroes, natural elements and animals are its actors. Elephant is among these actors. All the epic, mythological and ritual motifs related to elephant are not mentioned in Shāhnāmeh, so in order to achieve a comprehensive overview of the animal, inevitably, other Persian epic books, written after Shāhnāmeh and affected by it, should be studied. By using comparative-analytical approach, the authors of the present article try to extract, classify and analyze the motifs of elephant and its related themes in Shāhnāmeh and other ten epics including Bānūgoshasp-nāmeh, Borzu-nāmeh, Bahman-nāmeh, Jahāngir-nāmeh, Sāmnameh, Shahriyār-nāmeh, Farāmarz-nāmeh, Kok koohzād, Kūsh-nāmeh, and Garshāsp-nāmeh. The most important motifs include: Ahurian-Ahrimanian motifs, elephant totem, killing elephant by hero, metamorphosis to elephant, presence of elephant in army, its role in games, interpretation of dreams and so on.
Old rituals are associated with mythology, which means that man has lived with myth from the begi... more Old rituals are associated with mythology, which means that man has lived with myth from the beginning. Human beings have common concepts such as suffering, happiness, war, peace, love and other emotions that open to a common sense and bring together single people; so they give meaning to myths and rituals. Blood is a part of human biological existence and his/her stream of life that goes beyond the body, becomes a common concept among humans and is the source of many myths and ancient rituals in the personal and social life of mankind. The myth of blood is manifested among various nations in various forms. Among Iranian people, the myth has many faces which some of them, such as shedding blood and drinking it, are appeared in Shāhnāmeh, the national Iranian epic. By using an analytical-comparative approach and based on evidence from other cultures, the present essay attempts to study the myth of blood and its ritual functions in the stories of Shāhnāmeh. The result of the research shows that the myth has a ritual function in forms of scapegoating, repelling evil, seeking revenge, mourning and Anew life.
In the present article the attempt is made to consider the relationship between three terms of "a... more In the present article the attempt is made to consider the relationship between three terms of "aftab", "khorshid" and "shams" (all three mean "sun") in Divan Shams based on mystical motifs. Jalāl al-Din Rūmi uses these terms in two ways. First, he uses them for illustration. Second, with these words, he describes the character of Shams Tabrizi. For illustration, Rūmi, like other poets, points to the term "aftab". He is aware of the mythological and religious background of the words "khorshid" and "aftab", so for describing the character of Shams Tabrizi, first, he combines these two words with the word "shams" and then converts the word "shams" from sign to word by hermeneutic interpretation. In this way, he can record two terms "aftab", "khorshid" as mystical motifs. "Shams" is identical with "khorshid", and thus all the mythological and mystical features of "khorshid" appear in "shams". By using descriptive-analytical method, the present study has concluded that Rumi has dealt with worship of Shams Tabrizi and regards him as the god of mythology and searches for "self" in the process of individuality by annihilation in him. All of this process can be interpreted by Jung's psychology. According to this interpretation, Shams Tabrizi is a means to reach God.
Love and mysticism have a very close relationship with each other and in Arabic and Persian liter... more Love and mysticism have a very close relationship with each other and in Arabic and Persian literature many poets have dealt with them. The mystical poems of Abd al-Wahhab Al-Bayati and Sohrab Sepehri represent their mystical approaches. The study of the poetry of these two poets shows that both of them are influenced by Oriental and Islamic mysticism. By employing descriptive-analytical method, the present article attempts to study the common themes, such as religious modern point of view, religious pluralism, Utopia, preaching the good news, life and death, in the poems of these two poets.
René Girard takes a critical approach to the James George Frazer and Claude Lévi-Strauss anthropo... more René Girard takes a critical approach to the James George Frazer and Claude Lévi-Strauss anthropological views. He belongs to the Freudian psychoanalytic school and the late French psychoanalysis. Girard has proposed a view about history and culture that is a novel mixture of literary criticism, mythology, psychoanalysis and religious studies. He puts forward the idea that in every myth it can be found the trace of a real violence that has changed over time; he turns to a Euhemeristic mythological point of view which holds that objective historical violence is a constitutive component of rituals and myths of different tribes. By reading texts, he identifies symbolic signs that indicate to mimetic desire in human’s ontological and psychological structure as well as victimary process and scapegoat mechanism in the cultural foundations of different ethnic groups. Accordingly, the present article attempts to consider the origins of Girard's ideas and his arguments by using analytical-critical method. The author of the paper puts an emphasis on Girard's irrationalist points of view and criticizes his anti-Cartesian views about the "subject". Also, what he proposes as the foundation of human culture follows a blind and wild unconsciousness which is based on denial of self-conscious position of desire.
Imaginary perception is one of the perceptual stages that artists rely on it to create works of a... more Imaginary perception is one of the perceptual stages that artists rely on it to create works of art. Moreover, imagination helps the artist to realize his ideas and acts as interface between apparent senses and reason. By using descriptive-analytical method and relying on the thoughts of Jalāl ad-Dīn Rūmī in Masnavi Manavi, the present study attempts to study the various dimensions of imagination and its role in the creation of architectural works. The results indicate that the recognition of the imaginary forms and the imagination of the final form of the works of art are necessary for the analysis of their external effects. An architectural work, as a work of art, relies on the imagination of the architect and comes from the depths of his/her mind. At various stages of the design process including the creation of designs, architect travels in the world of imagination, examines the quality of architectural works and provides the basis for the formation of the physical nature of the design.
In mythological resistance, a centralized presence with an internal power is formed and subject a... more In mythological resistance, a centralized presence with an internal power is formed and subject acts as a discursive actor. Siāvash, as a subject and discursive actor, is one of the central characters of Shāhnāmeh who has achieved an internal power. He presents a coherent and transcendental image of the "centralized presence". This presence places the subject as the symbol of identity in the center of discourse. The rival subject adjusts his presence in relation to Siāvash and involves in a mutual interaction or a challenging relationship with him. This confrontation and interaction between them appears in the form of two macro-narratives of resistance and tolerance. The main question is "how the discourse of mythological resistance and consequently, the discourses of resistance and tolerance have been realized in the story of Siāvash". In fact, the purpose of the present research is to examine the method of realization of the discourse of resistance semantically and semiotically, and its impact on the formation of identity and value. Based on descriptive-analytical method, in the present article the attempt is made to show that the subject (Siāvash) defends fulfilling contracts and righteousness by using the techniques of the mythological resistance. On the other hand, the rival subject stands in front of him and forces him to obey, but the subject resists.
Iranian and Semitic myths are widely and variously reflected in Khāqāni's poetry and his panegyri... more Iranian and Semitic myths are widely and variously reflected in Khāqāni's poetry and his panegyrics. The extraordinary power and glory of the mythological figures is familiar to everyone. Khāqāni pays attention to this and describes his praised person and shows his/her superiority over Iranian and Semitic myths and even Islamic characters. Because of this, he sometimes ignores his religious beliefs. The present article aims to examine the function of the myths in Khāqāni's poetry. The results show that he has no disagreement with Iranian myths, nor does he disbelieve religious beliefs. Whenever, he refers to superiority of his praised persons over the mythological figures or despises the myths, he wants to attract his praised person attention and enjoy his/her material gifts.
The myths speak about the entrance of mythical elements (good or evil) to the realm of human bein... more The myths speak about the entrance of mythical elements (good or evil) to the realm of human beings; they depict different themes and there is much to be gained from them. There are myths about the origin of the world, man, drugs, plants, animals, and so on. Also, some myths deal with the issue of death. The myths associated with the origin of death have different types and layers and traces of it can be found across cultures. The study of their typology can pave the way for a more sophisticated analysis of the myths of the nations. The aim of the present article is to identify the typology of the myths associated with the origin of death in the mythologies of different nations. By using descriptive-analytical method and based on comparative approach, in the present research the myths associated with the origin of death are divided into two kinds of human-centered and non-human-centered. In human-centered myths, man brings consciously or unconsciously death into his/her life; but in non-human-centered one, an inhuman creature has a central role. Each of these two kinds have different divisions.
Ancient stories and folktales are one of the most appropriate contexts for the manifestation and ... more Ancient stories and folktales are one of the most appropriate contexts for the manifestation and continuation of the life of gods, goddesses and Amesha Spentan; they continue to live in different forms through metamorphosis. Khosrow and Shirin, composed by Nizami Ganjavi, is a famous tragic romance which its main source is local narratives. The mythical figures and characters of ancient Iran are present in this book. By using descriptive-analytical and comparative method, the present research tries to examine the characters of Khosrow and Shirin including Hormizd, Khosrow Parviz, Mahin Banu, Shabdiz, Golgoon, Shirin and Shapour, and to compare them with Amesha Spentan including Vohu Manah, Asha Vahishta, Kshatra Vairya, Spenta Armaiti, Haurvatat, Ameretat, Anahita and the god of wind. The results show that the characters mentioned have much in common with Amesha Spentan. Also, the book provides a platform for the presence of the ancient Iranian gods, goddesses, and Amesha Spentan, and it should be considered more than just a collected lyric poetry.
Audience-centric views provide new approaches to the study of literary texts, especially old ones... more Audience-centric views provide new approaches to the study of literary texts, especially old ones. Horizon and circumstances of a contemporary reader are different from those of an old text author. A reader will be able to study an old text well when considering different interpretations of it. The main question of the present research is whether contextuality and individuality can influence one's perception of a subject. Affection and emotion are two major elements of wine-poems (khamriyyat) of Ibn al-Fārid. Abd ar-Rahmān Jāmi has addressed these two issues in Ibn al-Fārid's poetry and has revived his poetry. By using descriptive-analytical method, the essay tries to examine Jāmi's views on Ibn al-Fārid's poetry. Coherence is a characteristic of Ibn al-Fārid's poems. In his poems, we move from wine-drinking to eternal intoxication. To understand the concept of wine, one must study all of his poems. But in Jāmi's poetry, we cannot find this consistency, and every single bit of his poetry can be studied alone.
Shānāmeh, as an exemplary pattern for Persian epics, has been the source of numerous epic works. ... more Shānāmeh, as an exemplary pattern for Persian epics, has been the source of numerous epic works. Based on an intertextual reading, in the present article the attempt is made to study the influence of the Shānāmeh on Haft Paykar in the creation of the mythological personality of Bahrām Gor (Bahrām the Onager). The present study seeks to explore the mythological personality of Kei Khosrow in Shānāmeh that has inspired Nizami Ganjavi in the processing of Bahrām Gor 's character. Nizami Ganjavi's reference at the beginning of Haft Paykar to Shānāmeh and the textual evidence reinforces this claim. So, one can find a pattern for the creation of the character of Bahrām Gor according to Nizami Ganjavi's narrative. Based on the thoughts of Gérard Genette and by using a descriptive-analytical method and intertextual approach, the article tries to examine the characters of Bahrām Gor and Kei Khosrow in Shānāmeh and Haft Paykar. The results show that explicit and implicit intertextual relationships are presented in cases such as the actions and behaviors and mystical personality of the two characters and the dreams and predictions of the elders about them.
The concept of "persuasion' has a special place in mystical and religious texts. It has a more im... more The concept of "persuasion' has a special place in mystical and religious texts. It has a more important role than the concept of "waring" and is a means of indirectly guiding public opinion. The present essay examines the subject of persuasion in Haqiq al-Haqq or Aina-i Haq Numa (Truth Showing Mirror), composed by Abd ul Latif Chishti. In this versified book, the poet attempts to attract the sālek (the holy traveler) to theistic mysticism and to immortalize the name of his own sect, the Chishtiye. By using the analytic-descriptive method and based on new linguistic methods and inspired by the functionalist theories of Jacobson and Lasswell, the present article tries to examine the subject of persuasion in the five areas of environment, stimulus, audience, reward and content. The results show that the use of figures of speech has brought the book a lot of literary value and the proper and frequent use of persuasion, as an educational method, has added to its educational richness.
By using psychological criticism in analyzing literary texts, critics try to explore the underlyi... more By using psychological criticism in analyzing literary texts, critics try to explore the underlying layers of the personality of the author and his/her text. Humanistic psychology, as one of the schools of psychology, emphasizes on the positive side of humanity. Abraham Maslow, as the main figure of the school, describes the healthy and growing people by presenting the theory of self-actualization. The peak experience is one of the main criteria of the theory, whose foundations are very similar to the views of the mystic Muslim poets, including Bidel Dehlavi, on annihilation, union and unity. Divan Bidel is full of descriptions of the romantic experiences that the sālek (the holy traveler) and the seeker of perfection encounters. By using descriptive-analytical method and based on Maslow's findings, the present article attempts to explore the representations of the peak experience in the gazals of Bidel. The results show that there are some similarities between the experiences of Maslow and Bidel like openness of horizon, timeless and unlimited feeling of ecstasy and astonishment, feeling of unconsciousness, tendency to poetry, religion and mysticism.
Comparing phenomena is a way to know their different layers, as well as a way to discover new and... more Comparing phenomena is a way to know their different layers, as well as a way to discover new and hidden ones. By using analytical-comparative method, the present study investigates and compares mysticism and beauty. At first, the concept of beauty, the process of its creating and the way to understand it is examined. Then, some instances of beauty in Islamic mysticism are introduced. The study focuses more on the intuitive aspect of beauty associated with mysticism. The results show that according to Hegel, art is the recording of transient moments happening for artist in an impressionistic moment. In this way, the artist transforms the transient moment into a persistent and eternal one. Also, in Islamic mysticism, in an intuitive moment (which is the same as an impressionistic moment in Hegel's aesthetics) the mystic observes the beauty of the celestial geometry in the loci of manifestations due to his/her constant attention to the Divine beauty. These manifestations include from the beauty of the human face in carnal love to the smallest particles of the universe.
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Papers by Mytho - Mystic Literature
The concept of sacrifice is one of the major themes in Biveh-koshi (Widow Killing) a novel by Yousef Alikhani. It contributes to the coherence of the narrative and the sequence of events in the story. Various mythologists have studied the subject of sacrifice in the culture of different ethnic groups, including Mircea Eliade, who equates sacrifice with the act of creation and the necessity of life. He believes that nothing can be created without sacrifice. Biveh-koshi is a contemporary example of the rite of sacrifice. In the novel, the successive sacrifices of the seven sons of Hazratgholi and the sacrificing a lamb instead of a virgin girl are reminiscent of mythological idea of the rite of sacrifice. In the present study, the authors, by using an analytical-comparative approach, have first interpreted the main theories of Mircea Eliade about concepts such as the myth of creation, sacrificing and the initial perfection. Then, they have analyzed the elements of the rite of sacrifice in Biveh-koshi in order to explain the views of Eliade and to evaluate their compatibility with the narrative of the story. The results of the study show that the narrative of Biveh-koshi is a manifestation of the conflict between the myths of creation and fertility.